New water rescue tactics: Microdrones meets DLRG

Microdrones and DLRG Horneburg/Altes Land e.V. demonstrate promising new water rescue tactic using drones and compact flotation devices.

On Friday 7/22, Microdrones collaborated with the DLRG Horneburg/Altes Land e.V. (German Lifeguard Association) to simulate a mission to rescue a drowning swimmer, demonstrating the life-saving potential of a tactic that combines two cutting-edge technologies: unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and RESTUBE.

Crowds watched in awe from the banks of the Elbe River as the UAV rapidly flew to the person in distress and dropped a compact rescue device called RESTUBE, which automatically inflated. The swimmer was able to grab onto the RESTUBE and float until they could be reached by a human lifeguard and brought back to safety.

"An adult drowns in approximately 60 seconds and a child in only 30. All too often, this is not enough time for the victim to be reached by a lifeguard," explained Christopher Fuhrhop, founder and CEO of RESTUBE. "Flying over the water is a much quicker way to reach the victim. By combining UAVs and RESTUBE flotation devices, we are able to buy the drowning person valuable time that could very well mean the difference between life and death."

Flight stability, industry-leading flight endurance, and resistance to corrosive elements make the md4-1000 from Microdrones an ideal solution for water rescue applications.

DLRG meets mdsolutions

The UAV used in the rescue was the Microdrones md4-1000. This quadcopter drone features specially developed motors, carbon fiber housing, highly efficient batteries, and an integrated GPS system that allow the UAV to fly and stay in position in strong winds over the water. md4-1000 was equipped with an imaging camera that streamed live to the specially trained lifeguard operating the drone, allowing them to easily see the precise location to drop the RESTUBE flotation device.

"An adult drowns in approximately 60 seconds and a child in only 30. Flying over the water is a much quicker way to reach the victim." – Christopher Fuhrhop, founder and CEO of RESTUBE

Last July, RESTUBE won the gold German Founders Award, the most significant prize for entrepreneurs in Germany. Just one year and many awards later, RESTUBE has shown great potential in numerous rescue applications. Microdrones and RESTUBE team members, DLRG Horneburg/Altes Land e.V. lifeguards and leadership, fire fighters, police personnel, and many locals were there to celebrate the outcome of this rescue simulation.

"One of the greatest obstacles to rescuing a drowning swimmer is that they panic and we often can’t reach them in time," said Robert Rink from the DLRG Horneburg/Altes Land e.V. "After seeing what I saw here today, I have no doubt that drones will play a significant role in the near future of water rescue – and that we’ll see less fatalities as a result."

Rink outlined other possibilities for using Microdrones quadcopters to solve common issues in lifeguard rescue scenarios. Some of these included:

Locating people more quickly and easily using thermal imaging cameras attached to UAVs

Collecting data on the condition of leaking and burst banks on hard-to-reach embankments

Better distribution of rescue personnel, due to the availability of live imaging

Delivery of important medicines and supplies from nearby tankers and container ships

DLRG Horneburg Team and a md4-1000

"We were very pleased today to be able to show off the potential of this approach to rescue," said Sven Juerss, Business Development Manager of Microdrones. "Days like these are what motivate the team at Microdrones to strive for new solutions. Days when our technology comes together with others’ in ways that change the world for the better. We’re very proud to work with innovative organizations like RESTUBE, DLRG Horneburg/Altes Land e.V., and many others on UAV solutions that save lives."